Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier was an American actor who is best known for his roles in films like “Lilies of the Field,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” and “To Sir, with Love.” He was born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, but he grew up in the Bahamas. Poitier is recognized as a trailblazer for African American actors in Hollywood.

Personal and Family Life

Sidney Poitier was born to Evelyn and Reginald James Poitier and had a humble upbringing in a farming family. He married Juanita Poitier in 1950 and had four children before their divorce in 1965. Later, he married Joanna Shimkus in 1976, with whom he had two children. Poitier had a total of six daughters.

Career Highlights

Poitier faced many challenges on his path to success, including racism and lack of opportunities for Black actors. His big break came with the film “No Way Out” in 1950, and he went on to star in many important films. Not only did he act, but he also directed and produced several movies, becoming a prominent figure in the film industry and the Civil Rights movement.

Death and Legacy

Sidney Poitier passed away on January 6, 2022, in Los Angeles, California, due to heart failure, dementia, and prostate cancer. His contributions to film and society have left a lasting legacy, inspiring many upcoming actors and promoting racial equality in Hollywood.

Filmography

TitleRelease DateCharacter
Duel at Diablo1966-06-15Toller
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner1967-12-11John Prentice
Porgy and Bess1959-06-24Porgy
Sneakers1992-09-09Crease
The Greatest Story Ever Told1965-04-09Simon of Cyrene
In the Heat of the Night1967-08-02Virgil Tibbs
The Jackal1997-11-14Carter Preston
The Defiant Ones1958-08-14Noah Cullen
The Wilby Conspiracy1975-02-01Shack Twala
To Sir, with Love1967-06-14Mark Thackeray
Little Nikita1988-03-17Roy Parmenter
Blackboard Jungle1955-03-25Gregory W. Miller
A Patch of Blue1965-12-10Gordon Ralfe
Shoot to Kill1988-02-12Warren Stantin
Buck and the Preacher1972-03-17Buck
Paris Blues1961-09-27Eddie Cook
Pressure Point1962-10-10Doctor
They Call Me Mister Tibbs!1970-07-10Virgil Tibbs
No Way Out1950-08-16Dr. Luther Brooks
Edge of the City1957-01-04Tommy Tyler
Uptown Saturday Night1974-07-26Steve Jackson
Let’s Do It Again1975-10-11Clyde Williams
A Raisin in the Sun1961-05-28Walter Lee Younger
A Piece of the Action1977-10-07Manny Durrell
Band of Angels1957-08-03Rau-Ru
The Long Ships1964-04-22Aly Mansuh
Lilies of the Field1963-06-04Homer Smith
The Bedford Incident1965-10-11Ben Munceford
Something of Value1957-05-08Kimani Wa Karanja
A Warm December1973-05-23Dr. Matt Younger
The Slender Thread1965-12-15Alan Newell
For Love of Ivy1968-07-17Jack Parks
Sing Your Song2012-01-13Self
The Mark of the Hawk1957-12-01Obam
The Organization1971-10-20Virgil Tibbs
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn1999-05-09Noah Dearborn
David and Lisa1998-11-01Dr. Jack Miller
To Sir, with Love II1996-04-07Mark Thackeray
Brother John1971-08-15John Kane
Separate But Equal1991-04-07Thurg